The Rockette-style cast of "Tis the Season" practices for their holiday show on Wednsday Nov. 11, 2009 at Dance Etc. Dance school in Newtown, CT. The show will serve as a fundraiser for Anne's Place and the New MIlford Food Bank. less

The Rockette-style cast of "Tis the Season" practices for their holiday show on Wednsday Nov. 11, 2009 at Dance Etc. Dance school in Newtown, CT. The show will serve as a fundraiser for Anne's Place and the New ... more

The Rockette-style cast of "Tis the Season" practices for their holiday show on Wednsday Nov. 11, 2009 at Dance Etc. Dance school in Newtown, CT. The show will serve as a fundraiser for Anne's Place and the New MIlford Food Bank. less

The Rockette-style cast of "Tis the Season" practices for their holiday show on Wednsday Nov. 11, 2009 at Dance Etc. Dance school in Newtown, CT. The show will serve as a fundraiser for Anne's Place and the New ... more

The Rockette-style cast of "Tis the Season" practices for their holiday show on Wednsday Nov. 11, 2009 at Dance Etc. Dance school in Newtown, CT. The show will serve as a fundraiser for Anne's Place and the New MIlford Food Bank. less

The Rockette-style cast of "Tis the Season" practices for their holiday show on Wednsday Nov. 11, 2009 at Dance Etc. Dance school in Newtown, CT. The show will serve as a fundraiser for Anne's Place and the New ... more

A Rockettes-style cast will kick and tap its way across the stage Dec. 4, 5 and 6 at the third annual " 'Tis The Season" performance in New Milford.

Dancers will perform the "March of the Wooden Soldiers." A children's choir will sing Christmas standards. And the Dance, Etc.! studio dance team will perform "Hot Chocolate" from the movie "The Polar Express."

Dance, Etc! owner Jen Turey is a former Rockette, so a high-kick number was a definite.

"It's hard to imagine Christmas without a touch of Radio City," she said.

Theater Connections co-founder Linda Davies, said, "Myself and the owners of Dance, Etc.! and Brookfield School of Performing Arts were doing holiday shows every year. Then we decided to produce a show together that would be an alternative to the traditional `Nutcracker.'"

The production has grown since last year. Young vocalists from the Goodspeed Opera House performance of "Miracle on 34th Street" will be in this year's " 'Tis The Season," as will Richard Esty, who was Santa Claus in the Goodspeed production.

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The Connecticut High School Dance Team State Championships winners from Brookfield High School will perform also.

This year's production is also a benefit, raising funds for Ann's Place cancer services center in Danbury. Cans of nonperishable food will be collected at each performance for the New Milford Food Bank.

"We love `The Nutcracker,' but thought there was room for tap dance, jazz and more novelty numbers," Davies said. "It gives the kids who are not ballet dancers a chance to perform in a holiday production, and many of our lovely ballet dancers do marvelous tap, too."

" 'Tis The Season" performances are Dec. 4 at 7 p.m., Dec. 5 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at New Milford High School, 388 Danbury Road (Route 7), New Milford. Tickets are $15, $12 for children and seniors over 64, with group rates available. Call 203-775-6300 for reservations.